Budget 2014 Newsletter Special

This Budget and Government policy in general fails to coherently integrate people with disabilities into public service reform. It fails to support people with disabilities” ambition to live in the community with dignity and independence. The Government has made several commitments to people with disabilities and their families over the last few years. There was the commitment made by both An Taoiseach and the Tánaiste prior to the General Election in 2011 that disability was their number one social justice priority. There are the disability commitments in the Programme for Government 2010, and there was the publication last July of the National Disability Implementation Plan. However, this Budget does little to progress these commitments.

Another worrying development is the lack of clarity / transparency in relation to the figures for the overall adjustment to be made in Budget 2014, as well as the unrealistic targets in relation to the health budget, a problem which arose in last year”s Budget and which had a negative impact on the supports for people with disabilities. It is true to say that economic concerns have overtaken the social agenda in this Budget. Although the two realms remain firmly linked in reality, failure to begin the restoration of supports and services for people with disabilities has further disconnected them in practice. We need to develop strategic and sustainable plans for social inclusion, but the measures revealed in the Budget have weakened that opportunity.

DFI welcomes some positive measures for people with disabilities and their families, including the beginning of the process of universal healthcare, €20 for community mental health services and the allocation (albeit only a fraction of what is required) to support accessible housing for people with disabilities. Disability, chronic illness and mental health needs are experienced by individuals and families across the life course. These people are all experiencing the effects of the on-going recession in addition to the challenges that they face related to their disability. Prioritising supports for this life contingency, given the existence of the implementation plan for the National Disability Strategy, is the most cost effective way of providing some “easing” for people with disabilities and their families.

John Dolan, Chief Executive Officer